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Council adopts resolution rejecting initiative petition after contested debate
Summary
Sylvania City Council voted 6–1 on May 18 to adopt Resolution 5-20-26 rejecting an April initiative petition; one councilmember called a whereas clause "false and misleading," but the amendment to strike it failed for lack of a second.
Sylvania City Council on May 18 adopted Resolution 5-20-26, rejecting an initiative petition presented to the city on April 20, 2026, after a brief but pointed debate. Councilmember Westfall introduced the resolution and moved its passage as an emergency measure; a subsequent roll-call vote was 6–1 in favor of adoption.
Councilmember Hainum sought to amend the 4th whereas clause, arguing that the clause's claim — that several provisions in the initiative language were contrary to state and federal law and could expose the city to significant legal liability — was inaccurate. He urged the change by pointing to ordinance language that requires compliance with federal and state law, saying the clause should be shortened to end after the word "Sylvania." When the motion to amend received no second, Mayor called the amendment denied. Hainum later said the 4th whereas clause was "a clearly false and misleading misleading statement" and that he would vote against rejecting the initiative for that reason.
After discussion, the council voted. The clerk called the roll: Hansen, McCann, Murphy, Richardson, Dow and Westfall voted Yes; Hainum voted No. The Mayor announced the motion carried and the resolution passed as an emergency measure.
